StrictlyVC Returns to NYC Sept 10 to Celebrate Startup Boom
▼ Summary
– StrictlyVC is returning to New York City on September 10 at Ideal Glass Studios in the West Village, with general admission tickets available for $180.
– New York’s startup activity is accelerating, with 240+ startups raising $1.13 billion in seed funding in H1 2026, up from $1.06 billion in H1 2025.
– The speaker lineup includes Craig Shapiro of Collaborative Fund and Tristan Walker of Heirloom Craft, with sessions on community-building and reinvention.
– The event emphasizes networking and candid conversation beyond the stage, designed to foster connections and opportunities among venture and startup leaders.
– Past StrictlyVC speakers include Sam Altman, Tekedra Mawakana, and Katie Haun, highlighting the high-caliber access the event provides.
For the first time since 2024, StrictlyVC returns to New York City on September 10, bringing its signature blend of exclusive access and candid conversation to the heart of the startup, VC, and dealmaking community. This isn’t just another networking event; it’s a night designed for the kind of off-the-record dialogue that founders and investors crave but rarely find.
Held at Ideal Glass Studios in the West Village, the event opens general admission tickets at $180, available now. The timing is no accident. New York’s startup ecosystem is on fire. According to a recent Tech:NYC report, over 240 NYC startups raised a combined $1.13 billion in seed funding during the first half of 2026. That’s up from $1.06 billion in H1 2025, with average seed rounds swelling from $5.4 million to $6.64 million. Across all stages, New York startups pulled in a staggering $16 billion through June, nearly matching the $19.1 billion raised in all of 2025. That capital is flowing into AI, healthcare, climate, fintech, robotics, and consumer tech , a breadth that made returning to NYC an easy decision.
The evening’s programming kicks off with Craig Shapiro, founder and managing partner of Collaborative Fund, sitting down with TechCrunch editor-in-chief and StrictlyVC founder Connie Loizos. Their session, “The Business of Belonging,” explores why community has become a company’s most valuable asset and where investors see the biggest opportunities at the intersection of technology, fandom, and real-world connection.
Next up, Tristan Walker, founder of Heirloom Craft, shares the lessons he learned building one of the last decade’s most influential consumer startups, why he’s starting over, and how his approach to leadership and brand-building has evolved in today’s AI-driven landscape. More speakers and sessions will be announced in the weeks ahead, with updates dropping here.
As always, the stage is only part of the story. StrictlyVC is built for the room, not just the spotlight. Conversations that begin between TechCrunch reporters and the startup community continue long after the mic is off, in a setting designed for access, focus, and proximity to the people shaping what comes next for NYC’s venture and dealmaking scene. Introductions turn into insight, and insight turns into opportunity.
Past StrictlyVC stages have hosted OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana, Signal president Meredith Whittaker, Haun Ventures founder Katie Haun, Replit CEO Amjad Masad, and Sequoia Capital’s Alfred Lin. For $180, you can be in the room with them. Secure your spot now.
One more thing for the East Coast community: if you’re a founder looking to learn from peers and connect with investors, Founder Summit is coming to Boston on November 4. It’s a full day of workshops on nailing pitch meetings, raising VC funding, managing finances, and recruiting your growing team. Learn more and lock in your spot here.
(Source: TechCrunch)
